If I had to pick one beer style that has been beaten into the ground by the craft beer movement, it would be the Imperial IPA. At one point, these monster brews were considered feats of strength, bitter battles to be conquered. But as palates normalized, beer drinkers started to demand flavor and quality from their merciless hop bombs. Some brewers took notice, others continued brewing their characterless hop assaults. As a result, a quality Imperial IPA became one of the hallmarks of great American brewers. Beer fans realized that any brewer could craft a strong hoppy beer, but not every brewer could craft one with integrity. One such example is the Hopothermia Imperial IPA by the Alaskan Brewing Company.

In the glass, this beer had a warm amber coloration with a caramel hue. It came with a frothy white head that had really nice retention. On the nose, I was greeted by a big burst of grapefruit citrus along with notes of pine, sweet fruits (namely peach), and a hint of caramel. The hop presence was strong, but not overpowering. This was a solid introduction for what I could only assume was an equally solid brew.

That first sip confirmed my suspicion: this was a damn fine Imperial IPA. The flavor closely mirrored the aroma with primary notes of grapefruit and pine. The caramel note translated into a solid malty base. Along with peach, I also found other fruity notes like mango and pineapple. The hops were moderately aggressive and gave the beer an infusion of pine resin. The beer had a medium body and felt smooth on the palate to start. The finish was quite dry and exited with a lengthy aftertaste of earthy bitterness.

Overall, I have to give two thumbs up to the Alaskan Hopothermia. This was a solid, delicious, no-frills Imperial IPA. It is a reliable option in a world full of insane interpretations. Beer fans like myself have come to expect a baseline of quality from reputable brewers. At this point I have sampled countless versions of this widely abused beer style. The second I got my hands on the Hopothermia Imperial IPA, I sighed in relief knowing that the Alaskan Brewing Company would treat my taste buds with the respect they deserved. After sampling this rewarding nectar, I extend my gratitude on behalf of all beer fans. Keep crafting with integrity and we'll keep drinking your delicious products.